Your comprehensive guide to Austin's Free Day of Yoga

It's no surprise that the Austin Free Day of Yoga falls on Labor Day, a day when many Americans are celebrating a break from the daily grind. This holiday, reward yourself for all your hard work with a free yoga class or five. On Monday, September 7, yoga classes in studios, community centers, rooftops, and parks all around the city will be free to the public. With diverse offerings in everything from aqua yoga to Onnit, there has never been a better time to try something new.

Free Day of Yoga is a nonprofit organization and a movement expanding all around the globe from its roots here in Austin. The first Free Day of Yoga took place in 1999, visualized as a gift to the community. Since then, it has expanded domestically and to places as far flung as Guam and the Netherlands.

Yoga has been known to relieve stress, increase flexibility, improve posture, and maybe even put a little pep in your step. Try a new teacher, a new style, or a new studio. No experience? Try a beginner's class. What follows is a mere sampling of hundreds of free classes available on the Free Day of Yoga. So grab your mat and say Om.

Early yoga4:30 am: Sadhana at Yoga Yoga Westgate
Sadhana is defined as a means of accomplishing something. Get an early start with this two-hour session.

7 am: Sunrise Yoga Class in the Park at Rosemary Denny Park
Spend your morning in a deep stretch at the ceremonial center stage as the day dawns.

7 am: Free Day of Yoga Kickoff at Whole Foods Lamar
This 75-minute Hatha session will take place on the Whole Foods plaza, so don't forget your sunscreen.

8:30 am: Rise and Shine at Barton Springs (South Gate)
This sunny Hatha Flow session will take place right alongside lovely Barton Springs. Enjoy the class and then take a dip in the cold Springs!

Beginner yoga9 am: Yoga 101 Castle Hill Fitness
Get the basics of Hatha Yoga with a sampling of a beginner yoga series starting September 8.

5 pm: Restorative Yoga at the Jewish Community Center
Relaxation is the name of the game in this calming 60-minute session.

7:30 pm: Sunset Slowdown at Yoga Illumined
A gentle class to help you bid farewell to the day and bring peace to your evening.

Prenatal yoga6 pm: Prenatal Yoga at Yoga Yoga Northwest and Westgate
Offered both north and south, prenatal yoga is a great way to relax the body as you get ready for baby, while making friends with other expecting mothers.

Yoga to heal8:30 am: Thriver Yoga at Yoga Illumined
A 60-minute session for women in all stages of cancer survival.

9 am: Yoga Therapy for Balancing Digestion at Yoga Yoga North
Experience different postures and breathing techniques to aid in better digestion.

10:30 am: Yoga for the Low Back at Sol Healing & Wellness
Relieve tension in the lower back with this 75-minute session.

6 pm: Life Mastery Coaching at Austin Yoga Tree
The goal of this practice is to "rewire how your brain thinks and processes information."

Yoga for kids9 am: Crawlers and Toddlers at Yoga Yoga Westgate
A class for both mother and child, this session balances a yoga practice for mom with breaks and movement for little ones.

3 pm: Fifth - Eighth Grade Kids Yoga at The Little Yoga House
Tweens can unwind and relax during this 30-minute session. The Little Yoga House offers kid's yoga from Pre-K through middle school.

Guided meditation12:30 pm: Intro to Yoga Meditation with the Yoga Meditation Group at Austin Belly Dance Studio
Seating and refreshments will be available at this calming session featuring simple techniques.

7 pm: Kirtan: Mellow & Rock Out with the Yoga Meditation Group at Haven House
Sing your soul with other open hearts and enjoy refreshments in this 60-minute session.